Cannoli Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Absolutely the best cake I've made in years! Moist and stays that way .. better the second day and freezes well - don't even regret buying a whole bottle of Marsala for 1 tablespoon ...

From: Smitten Kitchen

Butter or cooking spray to coat pan

1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar

Finely grated zest from 1 orange

Finely grated zest from 1 lemon

1/2 cup (120 ml) olive oil

1 tablespoon (15 ml) sweet marsala wine 

1 cup (250 grams) whole-milk ricotta cheese

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 or 2 pinches allspice

1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour

1 cup (170 grams) mini-chocolate chips or 6 ounces semisweet chocolate bar, chopped into tiny bits

1/2 cup (60 grams) pistachios, chopped small (I didn't use these)

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).

 Coat a standard (8 1/2-x-4 1/4″) loaf pan with butter or a nonstick spray.

Place sugar in a large bowl, and add zest. Use your fingertips to rub the zest into the sugar, scenting it througout. 

Whisk in olive oil, wine (if using), ricotta and eggs. Sprinkle baking powder, salt, cinnamon and allspice over wet ingredients, then whisk to combine.

 Gently stir in flour, then chocolate and pistachios until just combined.

Scrape into prepared loaf. Bake oven for 55 to 65 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out-batter free. Let cool on wire rack in pan for 15 minutes, then invert out onto rack to finish cooling.